Hemet couple indicted in kidnapping case

San Diego  A Hemet couple suspected of impersonating federal officers as they “deported” a woman to the Philippines were arrested Friday by the FBI following their indictment on federal kidnapping and other charges.

Gregory Denny, 38, and his wife Karen Denny, 52, were to be booked into the downtown San Diego federal jail, Assistant U.S. Attorney Jaime Parks said.

An indictment unsealed Friday charges the Dennys with kidnapping, impersonating officers and conspiracy. Gregory Denny faces additional charges of making false statements to a federal officer and entering a secure area of an airport under false pretenses.

He is accused of pretending to be a U.S. marshal’s deputy on Jan. 15 when he went to the Hemet home of a distant cousin and falsely arrested the cousin’s wife, Cherriebelle Hibbard, 28.

Denny took Hibbard to a Border Patrol station, showed a fake badge and credentials and tried to get agents to deport her, the indictment alleges. When agents refused, Denny and his wife allegedly took Hibbard to San Diego’s Lindbergh Field.

Using his false badge, Denny got Hibbard through security and onto a flight to the Philippines, the indictment alleges.

Hemet police later arrested Denny, but he was released from jail on bail and remained free until Friday’s arrest, Parks said.

The couple face up to life in prison if convicted of all charges. They are to be arraigned Monday in federal court.